A New Week

Last week was a mixed bag. I've felt very frustrated, very at sea. And then when I start to think globally, even nationally, I remind myself that life is full of "stuff," good and bad, and compared to war, insurance plans being eliminated (as has happened to friends with the recent changes in Medicare), American cities being invaded by National Guard troops they don't want, and compared to the current personal situations of many friends, my issues are nothing. '

 

I had the MRI for my foot on Saturday. I haven't had the follow-up with the doc yet and several days later  I still haven't seen the results but I'm feeling more optimistic. I've been able to walk a bit more easily (most days) with my walking stick and it's definitely improving. I wear my foot brace and some tape, and assuming it is bad tendonitis versus a tear, hopefully that will be enough. That said, it's really slowing me down and kills me on these beautiful early October days to not be taking a long walk. Rick and his mom went off to visit the grand guys last Sunday and I passed. It was just too much.

Rick's mom came to visit for a few days. Saturday was a really nice evening. First, Rick made a wonderful dinner that we enjoyed on the patio. 

The it was off to the Lansing Symphony. I didn't know till the last minute if I could make it. The auditorium is beautiful but the distance from the drop-off point to the auditorium door is pretty darned far if you can't move well and neither Kitty nor I were exactly great walkers. Then we had to get to our seats. I don't know why they don't have a better handicap entrance. In any event, it was good to get out of the house but I don't think going was the smartest thing I ever did.

But I have to say  the concert was well worth it. More than well worth it. Oh my! It was Holst's "The Planets" and a contemporary piece, "The Notebooks of Leonardo DaVinci: A Multi-Media Symphony." The "Leonardo" included the entire group of university and community chorales. (Needless to say, the concert was packed; when the community is involved, every husband or son/daughter/neighbor of the participant seems to be there!) 

And the coolest thing about this was the projections. On two large screens, you saw projections of Leonardo's work -- his writing, inventions, drawings, paintings, sketchbooks. I'm a fan of his work and seeing this was pure joy. "The Planets" used media in an equally wonderful way. Each movement featured footage from space of the various planets and animation showing the orbits of the moons around the planets, the craters on the planets, the rovers and exploratory equipment. 

For me, the projections were something I wish was in every concert. I confess, I struggle to look at orchestras in their generally mostly-black-with-some-white attire -- no matter how wonderful they are -- for a whole concert or long piece. There may be action on the stage with the movement of the bow, perhaps, but from an audience perspective the visual is boring and I'm a visual person. So I find myself nodding off, lulled by the music, even when it is a piece I love. But this -- with the projections fitting the mood and music so perfectly! I was entranced. 

One nice thing from all of this foot stuff -- the trash company saw me hobbling out to pick up my bin (which is a challenge one-handed.) The guy jumped out of the truck, brought it up and said, "You know, I'm going to put you on our garage pick-up list, no extra charge. Just leave the can by the garage and we'll put it back there empty." I told him I didn't think I'd be laid up long and he said, "Well, winter is coming and we don't want you falling." (Which I did last year and that was the start of a bunch of stuff!). So I gratefully said thank you!

  

I'm lucky to have wonderful neighbors, Frank and Rosie, whose garden gives me great joy. The other day Frank was out picking peaches. He said bugs had got into a lot of them, but there was much to salvage. Apparently there was enough to share because later that day he came over with a bag full! And the next, brought two huge bunches of lettuce, which we've been greatly enjoying.

 

I thought I'd rid myself of Hoagie the Groundhog, but he's a pesky little devil. I admire his fortitude. But I really wish he'd find somewhere else to live. Ideas, anyone?

Well, this is about as boring as a post gets, so I'll leave you with this nice photo of Rick and his mom and let you move onto better blogs! 

My next post will probably be a final Postcard from the Lake.